Telescoping-axle, leaning-wheel road grader



Nov. 29,1927. 1,651,315

w. r. BEAT-rv ET AL TELESCOPING AXLE, LEANING WHEEL ROAD GRADER 1,651,315 w. T. BEATTY ET AL TELESGOPING AXLE, LEANING WHEEL ROAD GRADER Filed June 7`, 1923 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Miam Nov. 29, 1927. 1,651,315

y W. T. BEATTY ET AL Tsnscorme AxL, LEANIANG WHEEL now GRADER Filed June '7, 1923 7 Sheets-511661. 5

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Nov. 29, 1927.

w. 1'. BEA'r'rY E'r Al. d

Tmzscorma una, Lamme WHEEL :mn GRAD'ER 'Filed June v, 1925 7 sheets-sheet s w. r. BEATTY Er AL TELESCOIING AXLE, BEARING WHEEL ROAD GRADER AZZ Filed June 7, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 *wmf Patented N ov. 29, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,651,315 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM T. lRRATTY, OErLossMOOR, FRANK s. DAvIs, OF IIOMEWOOD, AND FRED D.

WILsoN, or HARVEY, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoRs To AUSTIN MANUFACTURING co., OF OHIOAGO,`ILLINOIs, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

T ELESCOPING-AXLE, LEANING-WHEEL ROAD GRADER.

Application filed June 7,

This invention relates to the well known type of leaning wheel road machines in which for reasons well understood in the art, the rear axle is, in actualV operative use at least, very much longer than the normal width of the machine. Such machines of the prior art are objectionable in that the long axle of fixed length constantly extends out into the roadway and interferes with passing traffic, both-on andA off of bridges which arc sometimes too narrow to take the machine with its extended axle at all.A As much of `the work done by a road machine 'does not require` a long axle at all, it is a valuableI feature and an Aobjectof this invention to selectively close up and shorten thefrear axlewhen length is no longer required, and to extend it only when required for special work, this while at the same time, lunder all conditions of use, constantly having the benefit of the leaning wheels on opposite ends of the axle, simultaneously inclinable at the will of the operator by the use of a single mechanism, and this without interfering with bodily" shifting the axle acrossY the central axis of the machine should such movement be required,

The invention consists broadly in mechanisin attaining the foregoing and other objects and, more particularly, in details of an axle compact in form, easilyV and ycheaply constructable and not readily liable to get out of order, containing or carrying all the mechanism for both extending and contracting the axle and for inclining the road wheels attached thereto. The invention further consists in features and details hereafter more fully set forth in the specification and claims.

p Referring to the drawings in which like numerals designate the same parts throughout the several views: Y

Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 is a plan view of a machine illust-rating this i nvention in its preferred form.

Figure 3 is a changed position view of the rear axle and wheels from that shown atthe right 'hand end of Figure 2.'

Figure 4 is-a rear view of the machine taken from the right of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a modified construction corresponding to Figure 3, showing the axlehousing rigidly mounted 9,11 .the fram@ of the machine.

lin section on the irregular line 6-6 of Fig- 1923. 'Serial N0. 643,841.

ure 2.

Figure 12 is a plan view on the irregular line 12-12 of Figure 11. n A

Figures'l and 14 arev changed position views of the mechanism of Figures 6 and '1' respectively, showing Vthe wheels moved to extreme extended position. y

The drawings show the conventional form of road machine frame 16-with its working tools: specifically, a scraper 18, controllable through a lever mechanism 20-21-22 manipulable by a hand wheel 24 within reach of an operator riding at the rear of the machine.

At the forward endv of the frame 16 is a conventional form of fifth wheel mechanism 26 carrying a front axle box 28 rotatable about the axis of a vertical shaft 30, rockable in conventional manner by an operator at hand Wheel 32, through the agency of a shaft 34, a worm 36 on said shaft, anda worm wheel 38 on shaft 30.

On the lower end of shaft 30, inside casing 28, is a bevel inion 40 meshing witha bevel gear 42 on a s aft 44 at right angles to shaft 30. At opposite ends of shaft 44 are bevel pinions 46 and 48. Pivoted on a horizontal axis 50, at the end Vof shaft 44 which is adjacent to bevel gear 46, 'is a lever, one of whose ends is a segmental gear 52 meshing with pinion 46, as shown' in Figure12, while its other end is the axle 54 for front wheel 56. Correspondingly mounted on a hori- Zontal axis 58, atthe opposite, end 'of shaft 44, is another lever including segmental gear 60, meshing with gear 48, and axle 62 for the opposite front wheel 64. The wheels and the .lever mechanisms mounting them are identical in construction except that the segmental gears 52an'd 60 are, as clearly shown Vin Figvsection, on the irregular line 11-11 of Figloo i 90 and casting 92is a horizoi'itally disposed shaft 146, pivotally supporting a lever carrying at its outer end th-e -right hand rear wheel 148 ofthe machine and at its other end a segmental gear 150 meshing with pin` 1011100. The gear segments 144 and`150 engage their respective pinions 110 and 100 on opposite sidesA of a plane through the central axis of a telescoping shaft, with the result that rotation of crank 126 in a given direction will incline both wheels 142 and 148 in the same direction, for instance as shown in Figure 4. f

Rigidly attached to'transverse shaft 140`and through ,it Ato the plates 1021s a horizontally disposed rack 152 extending along the outside of case 72, slidably supported in'guides' 154 and 156 provided at opposite ends of the case for thatpurpose. Similarly supported in said guides, 1n` theparticular case here illustrated, below rack 152 and in sliding engagement therewith is'ano'therrack'158,

rigidly connected at `itsright hand end, as shown in the drawings, to shaft 146 and,

consequently, parallel plates 90.

Racks'152 and 158 are' held by the guides 154 and 156 a sufficient distance away from case 72 so that they can beenclosed by gear.

box 160 containing pinion 162, meshing with rack y152, and a laterally'disposed pinion 164 .meshing with rack 158.r The pinions 162 and 164 have non-circular, central openings 166 adapted to be selectively entered by the noncircular lower )ortion 168 vof a vertical wrench shaft 1 O, manually manipulatable through the agency of av conventional hand,

wheel 172. The pinion' 162is normally automatically locked in nonrotatable vposition with reference to the case'160 by a suitably pivotedk lockingl lever 174, in the particular case here illustrated, a gravity lever, actuated fby ar weight 176. In similar manner, the pinion 164 is automatically secured in stationary vpositionby locked lever 178, ac-

tuated by a weight 180. Each of these lockw Operation. A

Assuming that the rear wheels are in the contracted position offF1gures`3-6-7-8 and the operator vdeslresto moverear wheel 142 to the left toward the position of Figures 13 and 14, he first places 'shaft 170 in the position shown-in FiguresS 2111019l and rOtLteS hand wheel'172 in the proper direction to cause lpinion 162 to move rack 152 and consequently wheel 142 to the left, as viewed in Figures 67 and 8. The insertion of shaft i vas shown in Figure 13, further movement of hand wheel 172 will, within the limits of the 'remainder of rack 152 not` previously traversed by pinion162, cause casing 72 to swing on arms 76 and 78across the frame 66 to the position shown in Figure 2. IVhen the operator has positioned the parts referred to in the extreme position just'described or in any intermediate position, he withdraws'-haft r176 from operative relation with pinion 162,'whereupon latch 174 automatically locks the/pinion and consequently all connected 'parts ,referred to in the new position. l

l/Vhen the operatordesires to return wheel 142fto the original contracted position, he merely inserts shaft 174, as before, and rotates wheel 172 inthe opposite direction.

When the operator wishes to put wheel 148A inthe position shown in Figures 13 and 14, he merely places shaft 170 in operative engagement with pinion 164 and properly rotates wheel 172.

In thev modified structure of Figure 5, thc horiontal supplemental frame 66 is omitted and main frame members 16 are connected directly to the case 72 any suitable means, as by bolts or rivets 190. In this construction, lthe case v72 is immovable with reference to the main frame of the machine and, therefore, when theV operator `applies shaft 170 and rotates wheel 172,Y as before, Y

each inclined position to which they are moved. l v

As clearly shown in Figures 671314, tube 114 is held against endwise movementby members 122 and 134. IIaving thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is; y

1.? A roadv gradercomprising, in combination- Witll .ii-'frame part, a wheel supporting till iiiriiihir across the trani@ wheels iat opposite ends of. the wheel Supportingiiieniber, said wheels being iiioui'ited, tor pivotal; movement on horiaoiital axes, means for independently positioningr each wheel toaiid from its end of;` theisupiiortiiig iiieniber, and a single umana` selefftively smultaiieoiisly iiilining both lsaid wheels about" Said horizontal axes iii alldlier position beyond the ends of the whrt-l ySup porting member.`

V[ii riierliaiiisiii of the dass deiioribed, in combination with af'iaiiie part, a wlieelsupporting iiieiiibri'` slidable across the traine, wheel.; at opposite ends4 of the Wheel sup?- piiiijtiiig iiieiiibeij, means for independently poaitioiiiiig;1 earli wheel to and fioiii iteend oh tlii supporting iiiriuhor, and u ieaiis aetuated hv the Sinne iiieaiis which moves a given wheel outward 'l'i'oni the wheel Supporting'` iiieliilier rnd, olwrative after Said wlieol has reached a preileterniined, extended point, .liiit'tiiiir said wheel supporting niember transversely ofi the iiiaoliine frame.

2l. l'ii iiieeliaiiisni ofthe class described, in combination witha frame part., a, wheel supporting iiieuiber slidable across the frame, wheels at opposite endl; ot the wheel Sui porting iiieiiiber, means 'for independently positioning each wheel to and from its end ot the supporting' iiieiiiher, ingang actuated b v the saine means` which moves :i given wheel outward t'roiii the wheel Supporting;r niiiiiber oud, operative after said wheel has rearhed a predetorii'ihind, extended point, iliittiii`r said wheel supporting;` iiieiiilier transversely ol. the iiiarliiiie liriiiiie and a single iiieaiis aelortivelv simultaneo v in lining` hotli Said, wheels; iuall` their positions bevond the onda of, the wheel supportiiigiuoiiibei;

-ih it, road tirador ioiiiprisiiig, hi ooiiibiiiation` with :i fratrie part. a hollow axle Case :irrosstlw traine wheels at opiioaitjn (ind ofv the hollow axle ci e uiouuted oli a tele wiping aiilf extending through the case, .aaid wheelsr being adapted 'for pivotal moveiiieat about horizontal axes. iiieiins for" indoiieudoiit-l'v poritioiiiiiix nach wheel to and At'igoui iti:` mid ot the axle ease. and aSi-ngle uuu-nts` siflortirijlv liniultaneously iiicliiiin'g liotli `laid wheels about said lilhliltlltall :ikea iii all their [ioifitirna livvoiid the ends` of tht; hollow axle naar.

5. lfiuirrliaiiifui el' the elabu desrrihed. iii roiiiliiualioii with :i traine part, a hollow axle rase `lidahle ari-oss the traine, wheels at opposite ends oi the hollow axle ease, iiiouiitrd ou a telesropinf: axle extending through the rasta moana Jor independently poaitioiiiiij.;A each wheel t0 and 'troni its end of tliie axle oase. and means atuatedi by the saine means which moves a given wheel; out@ ward Afrom the hollow axle easeerid, operative alter Said wheel hasL reached a piedeten iiiiiuidLexteiideihpoint, sl'iiftingaill hollowr G axle raueti'iiu y of theiiiaehiiie frlaiiil.

(l. In*niechaiiiaiii"oh the classi deaoribeih iii coiiil'iinatioii with a tra ne part, a hollow axle @use Sliiliilile HQRQSS tlm frame "lltlf t opiiosite onda ofthe liolloufaxlerase1 `uiouiited ou` a1 telescopiing` aigle exteridingi through the we- Ilifians for' vlfipeiiileetly iiiiiSltiaf iner earli wheel to and, troni lla engl ot the axle rase, iiieaiisi, act'iiateihbyitlie saine me whir'h iiioives` ai given wilieeh out'wari'l floiii the hollow` axle cage enihopeiative after said wheel liaS reaizlied a predetniiiiiiiied, ci jiitled point. Shiftiiiuiii saith hollow; axle aise transverselv o1E the iiialiii'ie freine, and a `Sllllt, ineanii seleetively siiiiultmaneou.l v inoliiiiiig 'hoth Said irlieln4 in all; tbeirii phsitioiisbeveiidtlieeiidfi ofthe hollow` axle case. A

T`` Iii iiiecliair it ot the class described, iii combination with :i stationary iiiemlier, ah axlerase slidalolp with referienee" thereto, a wlieeh carrying` axle, reeiproable wihlirefei' ence to the case, and ineailis operating on said axlp` tollia i nieve thelwliee] ay given distance `from theA rase and, then move the ease and wheel with referene to the Stationary iiieiiiber.

Si Iiiiiieqhanisii'iA ofi the class dpsorihth in eoiiihiiiatifui with a` Stationary memberu aii axle rai' Slidalile with refereiufe theretoi a wheel oar ving: axle reeilkiroalile with refir-` eiireto tht ease, and ineens operating ou said axle to first iiiove the wlvieel a given distance 'troni the rase and than, oii further rolitiiiuaiiioe olf tlie original iiigiyrmijieiit ot, said oiieratiug i'hiieaiisj, iihiove the rase and wheel with reference to the Stationary iiieuiber.

l). In mechanism of therluias deseriljied, in iuiinhiiijitioijii with a" Stationary iiiruihiug, alii axle CaSe slidal-ile with reilieiouqe thereto` :i wheelcarryingl axlh iieeipri'iahle witlirelerl eure tol tht` caille, ineens iiioviiig said axle long iitudiiiallv oli the raie. al stop on the ease. aud a iiieiiiher moving;r in uliiSon with the axle engaging saicli stop iii suoli manner that zitter said. wheel has iiiioved a given distance 'liroiii the case, tui-ther nioveiiliei'it'ot'; the axle uitjes the jasje :uid extentied wheel` with retiereiire to the stationary `nieiiiher.

lll. lin uitjrliai ff-iii ot the ijhiff tlpsrijilgvtl, iii coiiihiiiatioifi with a lum-bine traine r-ud, au axle case arrosasiiid trahir end, liaigalihl lwiilgs :ittarhpdi to seipa'i'iited points ou` theI parse aiid to the fraaie, iiieauii on the rase eiiif bijaeiug two oikiposile Sitka it the 'traino rnd whereby as the links are rocked, they iiiofve the axle acrosa the tfraiiie, an axle reciprocahle alongr said ease "and means anchored to the frame operatingr ou tlib axle capable ot being` actuated to' first nieve' the i axle out of the case a predetermined distance and thereafter Shift the caseai'id axle across the :liraniel tl.. In mechanism ofthe class deserihed,

Hit)

llt)

ciprocable along` said case, means anchored to the frame operating on the axle capable of being` actuated to first move the axle out of the case a predetermined distance and thereafter shift the case rand axle across the frame, and an automatic loclr, normally fastening said actuatable means in each position the part-s assume. y

1211i mechanism of the class described, in combination with a machine frame end, an axle case across said frame end, parallel links attached-to separated points ony the case and tothe frame, means on the case einbiacing two opposite sides of the frame end whereby as the links arey rocked, they move the axle across the frame, an axle reciproca-ble along said case, means anchored to the frame operating on the axle capable of being actuated to first move the axle out of the case a predetermined distance and thereaftershift the case and axle across the frame, an automatic loclr, normally fastening said actuatable means ineach position the parts assume, and an operating tool engageable with said actuatable means, to op-r ei'ate it, acting when so applied to release said lock. ,l

13. In mechanism of the class described, in combination with a. stationary member, an axle case slidable with reference'thereto, a Wheel carrying axle, reciprocable with reference to the case, means operating` on said axle to first move-the Wheel a given dis- Y tancefrom the case and then move the case 'and Wheel with reference to the stationary member, and an automatic lock, normally fastening said operating means in each position the parts assume.

lil-.ln mechanism of the class described, in combination With a stationary member, an axle case slidable with reference thereto, a Wheel carrying axle, reciprocable with referenceto the case, means operating ,on said axle to first move the Wheel a given distance from the case and then move -the case and ivheel `ivith referenceto the stationary member, and an operati-ng tool engageable With said operating` means, to operate it, acting` when so applied to release said lock.

15. In mechanism of the class described, a tubular case, a member telescoping with said case carrying a wheel at one end of the case, another member carrying a wheel at the opposite'end of thecase telescoping on said first wheel carrying member, fixed members rigid with the case stopping movement of said respectivetelescopmg members out of the case, means independently reciprocating said telescopng members in the case, a telescoping shaft inside the case, one means for rotating said shaft in all positions of the telescoping members, and means so operatively connecting each Lend of said shaft to the adjacent Wheel that rotation ofy said shaft simultaneously inclines saidl Wheels in the sameangular direction. i

16. In mechanism of the class described, a tubular case,- a member telescoping with said case carrying a Wheel at one end ofthe case, another member carrying a Wheel at the op posite end of the case telescoping on said i'irst Wheel carrying member, fixed members rigid with the case stopping movement of said respective telescoping members out of the case, means independently reciprocating said telescoping members in the case, a telescoping shaft inside the case, one means for rotating said shaft in all positions of the `telescopingmembers, and means at each endk of the case, pivotally mounted on the adjacent telescopmg member, carrying the adjacent wheel and so operatively connected to the adjacent end of said shaft that rotation of said shaft simultaneously inclines said wheels in the same angular direction.

` 17. In mechanism of the class described, a tubular case, a member telescoping with said case carrying a Wheel at one end of lthe case, another member carrying a Wheel at the opposite end of the case telescoping on said first Wheel carrying member, lixed mem-A bers rigid With the casevstopping` movement of saidlrespective telescoping members out of the case, means independently recipro eating said telescoping members in the case, means normally automatically locking each yreciprocating means inv Whatever position it is placed .by the operator, a telescoping shaft insidethe case, onemeans for rotating said shaft in all positions of the telescoping mem` i bers, and means so operatively connecting each end of said shaft to the adjacent Wheel that rotation of said shaft simultaneously inclines said Wheels in the 4same angulardirection. Y

18. ln mechanism of the class described, a tubular case, a member telescoping with said case carrying a Wheel at one end of they case, another member carrying a Wheel at the opposite end of the case telescoping on said first Wheel carrying member, fixed members rigid with the case stopping movement of said respective telescoping` members out of the case, means independently reciprocating said telescoping members in the case, means normally automatically locking each reciprocating means in whatever position it is placed by the operator, a telescoping shaft inside the n mounted o n the adjacent telescoping member,

25 telescoping meinbers, and ineans ao operaearrying "the adjacent wlieet and so opta@u :itively Connected to the adjacent end olf said shaft that riitation ot said shaft simultaneoiiSly inelines'said wheels in the sanie angular direction.

19. In mechanism of the olassdeeribed, a tnhnl'ar ease, a inelnloer teleseoplng with said oase carrying a wheel at 'one end of the cate, another member earryinga wheelat the op lioaiteeild of tlieeaSe teleseopng "on said first wheel eariylng"l'neniber, tixed .ineniliers rigid with the ease stopping nlovenient ot' saidielsfieetive"teli` "iping' nienibere ont of thetaSe, ua pairofraifrfi outeide l@aid engel retfiprtfwatalile with referente tlieretoand wit h reference to eaelrother, one beingaltaehed "to eaeliof Said wheel carrying" i'ieifn'oeahle nnlnihei-S, a gearease Iarrymg tlwoliinions,one inesliiiig withraehraek, ineansrendering Said gear ease Stationary, 'means iinlependtintly oper- "atngfaeeleeted one ot Said pinionsjnieans antonnltieally "looking the other lpinirnn a `tf=leseopihg @haitinside` theA ease, onefineans "for i'otatirigaid allait in all positiiinsol the tively connectingeaeh end oi said ehalt` to tlieadjarelit wheelthat rotation of said Shaft simultaneously inclines `said wheels in the anie angnlal," direction. y

20. `Inhieelianiein the class decribeth a tn'lnil'ar eaSe, a liieinloer teleseopng `with Said ase Carrying awlieel atj one end of the elige, another ihemher "eariylng` a. "wheel at the opiiroitef end of the oaseteleseoping onsaid .tiret "wheel" cajryflliofr liien'xbr, fixed li1enihers rigid "t i theease Stoppingnioye'ment f Said reslieetitfe tleseoping lnelnlie'rs ontof the case, ajtpamirfof taillis outSidesaid ease, reeiproentaille with rel'eienee to each other, one bejnrg attached "to `each of said wheel Carrying `reeiproealile members, a gear 'ease earrying 4two -piiohs one niehing with eaeh` rank, "hieilns"iehtlering said gear `oase stationary, -iiietilis itide "ilndently 'operating af Seleeted one 'of 1Said pinions," means` autol'ln'ltieally lotking the otherpinionfatleeoping shaft inside thetase, oneniea'ne for rotating said Shaft `in all Positions of the teleseoping 'inenibera `and meine ateaeh end` ffthe e, piviitally inonnleil 'on the adj 'ittel ,oping mein- "tial iltlneshliontlloritontal a;VP adjii. `lilo "towards andaway froin rle another, and

nniinlier adjustable to\\\"aril.sl and away from the saine, anda single means operahletoso adjnet said wheels and to move Saidinelnber across the frame.

23. ln mechanism of the class described,

in` Combination, a frame, a member movable with respect to said fra1ne,`a wheel support carried hy and inmfahle with lrespeet'tosaid lneinlier, and mean1 for moving saidlneinber `withrigpeet to said `frame operatively oon- 25, A road grader comprising, in eoin-" intuition, a. traine, snppcirting" wheels `tllerefor tiltahle in Yvertical planes about lniriziiniai axeS,`n1eans for indepeinlently moving `'il wheels "towards and away 'ioni the eonneeting said wheelsoperable 'to tilttheni `ainniltaneonely about said aos in all posi "tions of adjustmentthereof while the grader is moving' over thegroinnl.

l26. 'A roadgrader Comprising, in eoinbina# tion with a traine, supporting wlieelsthei'e- "for mounted on horizontal axes, nfieans for independently adjnsting Said wheels to wards and away from the frame, and asingle ineanS operable to tilteaid wheels Silnultaneonely a iontSaid` horizontal axes in all positions ot' adjustment thereof, each 'of 1Said nieans heingadjnstable while tl1e5grader is' moving over the ground.

for tilting `aid wheels, il'ndmanually opeiable means for operating Said "tiltinginleztn, l'nonnted inilependontly olt the axle Sections and .iixed witlirelation to the vehi'ele ii'anie lint haring "eonstant"engagement "with the tilting lneans of both vwheels in all positions ot' the' axle sections.

28. In a machine of the olniiaetende eerilied, a vehicle frame, rear axleseotir'ins independently shiftahle laterally to extend or "retract the 'le `Seetiolis, nninnally` opel` "ahleineans or irltiiigeaeh of Laid axle levee? tions independently of" tl1e,"`otlier, knilek le "pirotallymounted upon eaeli axle"l i`\,etion,` forli'ioyielnent ina"`vertiealfplane, a wlieel carried by the `kn`n`ekle adjilsting nieahs nioliiited apon the axle tions torniovw" iraniefas the grader ,is in niotiiin, and nieans" till ill

ment -therewith and operatively connected to the corresponding knuckle for simulta` neous movement therewith, and manually operable means for tilting the knuckle, vsaid means being fixed with relation to the vehicle frame but having constant engagement with said knuckle.

29. In a machine of the character described, a pair of extensible rear axle sections, guides within which 'each axle section is longitudinally shiftable transversely of the machine, a knuckle pivotally-carried upon the extremity of the axle section, a wheel mounted upon the knuckle for tilting movement therewith, means for tilting the knuckle and wheel comprising coacting members mounted upon and movable with the corresponding axle section, one of said `means being rotatable, means for rotating the rotatable means of both axle sections comprising a shaft extending parallel to the axle section and held from longitudinal movement therewith but coactingly connected to one of said coacting members, and manually operable means for rotating said shaft.

30. A road grader comprising, in combination, a frame, a pair of wheels tiltable in vertical planes about horizontal axes, one at each side oi said frame, independently adjustable towards and away from the trame,

"dependently adjustable towards and away from the frame, and extensible and contractible means connecting said wheels operable to tilt them simultaneously in all positions of adjustment thereof, Said tilting means being automatically extended, or contracted, as either wheel is adjusted away from, or towards, said frame.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.

VILLIAM T. BEATTY. FRANK S. DAVIS. FRED D. VILSON. 

